PRASHAD scheme

Union Minister of State (IC) for Tourism has recently inaugurated the project “Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath, Gujarat”.The project “Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath, Gujarat” sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme in March 2017.High-quality, world-class facilities for parking, tourism amenities centre and Solid waste management have been developed under the project.

PRASHAD scheme

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15.

Objective

• The objective of the integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
• The scheme aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points (Road, Rail and Water Transport), last-mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like Information/ Interpretation Centers, ATM/ Money exchange etc.

Funding

• Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments for promoting tourism at identified destinations.
• For components within public funding under this scheme, the Central Government will provide 100% fund.
• For improved sustainability of the project, it also seeks to involve Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well.

Somnath temple

• The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Junagadh in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat.
• It is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
• In 1024, during the reign of Bhima I, the prominent Turkic Muslim ruler Mahmud of Ghazni raided Gujarat, plundering the Somnath temple and breaking its jyotirlinga.
• The present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951.

UPSC